Antioxidants
Red smoothies are incredibly healthy and nutritious. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect cells from damage and promote overall health. Red smoothies are made from fruits and vegetables that are naturally red, such as strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and beets. These ingredients are also great sources of fiber and other important nutrients like vitamins C, A, and K. The best part about red smoothies is that they can be customized with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
The prefix ‘anti’ means against, in opposition to, or corrective in nature. In this case, the ‘anti’ in antioxidant describes the effect these chemicals have against oxidants. Oxidants, usually referred to as ‘free radicals’ are produced as a natural by-product of the millions of biochemical processes undertaken by the body every minute. The same life-giving oxygen that supports all the functions of the body creates these harmful by-products which cause cell damage, usually to DNA, fats and proteins.
Free radicals
Free radicals also enter the body through external influences such as exposure to the sun, pesticides and other kinds of environmental pollution. In addition, their levels are increased by mental and physical stress, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, unhealthy foods, and cigarette smoke.
In much the same way as oxidation causes rust on cars, oxidation inside the body causes a breakdown of cells. If the amount of free radical oxidation in the body is allowed to rise to an unhealthy level, it can result in extensive damage to cellular components and can accelerate the ageing process.
More importantly, it may contribute to a wide range of degenerative illnesses and reduce the body’s ability to deal with other problems, including cardiovascular malfunction, eye disease, and cancer.
Additionally, it may result in a compromised immune system, leading to immunological disorders and a lessening of the body’s ability to heal wounds and overcome infections. Some studies indicate possible links to arthritis and similar chronic conditions.
Antioxidants counter these effects by binding with free radicals before they can cause damage. They then convert them into non-damaging biochemical substances, assisting enormously with the reparation of cellular damage.
Where to get antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds found in foods that neutralize free radicals in the body. Since free radicals are responsible for increasing inflammation in your system, antioxidants are your best friend!
Fortunately, there are many foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are the most potent in deeply colored vegetables and highly pigmented fruits. Dark blueberries, raspberries, dark green spinach are all perfect examples of foods that would be well suited to your diet. Fruits like the acai berry are amazing in the health world because of the wide range and high number of antioxidants they contain, making them a perfect source of antioxidants. It’s no wonder that the acai berry has been dubbed one of the top 10 “superfoods” in the world.
A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables provides a large supply of these antioxidants, to help eliminate damaging free radicals. The highest concentrations are found in fruits and leafy green vegetables, such as carrots, orange and red peppers, spinach and tomatoes.
Minerals such as selenium, zinc, glutathione and co-enzyme Q10 may also have antioxidant properties, and so may flavonoids such as cranberry, some amino acids, plus organic extracts from milk thistle and the tree known as ginkgo biloba.
How to get enough antioxidants?
Easies way to eat enough berries and fruits every day, is to make them to smoothies. Here on AskFoodica we have a lot of great recipes, and more coming all the time.
Here is a list of some of the ingredients you can use to make a delicious, nutrient–packed red smoothie:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Tomatoes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Grapes
- Pomegranate
- Cranberries
- Red bell peppers
- Acai berries
- Blueberries
More Smoothie recipes you can find here.
